Coating machine



Feb. 18, 1941. E WES 2,232,069

COATING MACHINE Filed Nov. 5, 1957 9 Sheets-Sheet 17 Feb. 18, 1941. c 5IVES 2,232,069

COATING MACHINE Filed Nov. 5, 1957 9 sneets sheet 2 I 3 r NR Feb. 18,1941. c. E. was v 2,232,069

COATING MACHINE Filed Nov. 5, 1937 9 Sheets-Sheet s 162 xi g "3 JJQ Q1300 a -r jay Feb. 18, 1941. c. a. was

I COATING MACHINE Filed Nov. 5, 1957 9 Sheets-Sheet 4 Feb. 18, 1941. c.E. was

COATING MACHINE Filed Nov. 5, i937 9 Sheets-Sheet s IFI 9 Sheets-Sheet 6frzuerzZof (7.27%7'dffves Feb. 18, 1941. c. EQIVES I COATING MACHINEFiled Nov. 5, 1937 9 Sheets-Sheet 7 AQN MPN \mN W CYgjorazjfl/es My? MFeb. 18, 1941. c. E. was

COATING MACHINE Filed Nov. 5, 1937 9 Sheets-Sheet s Feb. 18, 1941. Q 5,N55 2,232,069

COATING MACHINE Filed Nov. 5, 1937 9 Sheets-Sheet 9 Patented F eb. 18,194i 2 UNITED STATES PATENT. OFFICE Roebuck and 00., Chic New York ago,111., a corporation of Application November 5, 1937, Serial No. 172,937

17 Claims.

My invention relates to the coating of sheet material, and moreparticularly to the coating of textile fabric. A special application ofmy invention is in connection with the manufacture of garments of thetype described and claimed in the copending application of Richard H.

Wann, Serial No. 87,868, filed June 29, 1936.

According to the above noted application, a

garment such as a pair of overalls is provided with restrictedreinforced and waterproofed areas, such as for example, the knee and/orseat portions thereof. The reinforcing and waterproofing material isusually applied in the form of an aqueous latex emulsion, although ofcourse various other materials may be used for the purpose, and garmentsmade in accordance with that invention have the advantage of beingreinforced and waterproofed where required, without seriously adding tothe weight of the garment or interfering with the comfort of the wearer,since the remaining portions are pervious to the passage of air.

In the fabrication of garments according to said invention, it isnecessary that the reinforcing material be applied to a limited area,and it has been found most feasible to perform'this op-' eration inconnection with a pre-cut .section prior to sewing. It has also beenfound highly desirable in said coating operation to avoid theapplication of material to areas which are subsequently to be stitchedthrough, since the stitching of reinforced areas results in the heatingand breaking of needles, slowing up the work and involving considerableloss of labor and materials.

It is accordingly an object of my invention to provide a machine whichwill apply reinforcing material in liquid form to a restricted area of apre-cut fabric section in such manner as to leave uncoated the marginalportions through which stitches are to pass.

A further object is to provide an entirely automatic machine foraccomplishing the above mentioned operation. v

Still another object is to provide such a ma-- chine which will besimple in construction, in expensive to operate, and generallysatisfactory for thedesired purposes.

Another object is to provide an improved It is accordingly anotherobject of my inven-' tion to provide an apparatus and process formaintaining free of bubbles the coating liquid fed to the coatingmember.

Various other objects and advantages will become apparent as thedescription proceeds.

' Referring now to the accompanying nine sheets of drawings illustratinga preferred embodiment of my invention:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a machine embodying my invention; r

Fig. 2 isa near side elevation thereof; Fig. 3 is an end elevationthereof taken from the left end of Fig. 2, showing the receiving end ofthe machine;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 4-4 ofFig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 5-4 ofFig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken as indicated'by the line6-6 of Figs. 4 and 5;

Figs. '7 and 8 are vertical cross-sectional .views taken as indicated bythe lines 'I--I and 8-4, respectively, in Fig. 4;

Fig. 9 is a diagram of an electric hook-up for control mechanismembodying my invention;

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary enlarged view of the Y Fig. 14 is-a somewhatschematic fragmentary plan view showing the arrangement of a pair ofpanels to be coated, in relation to the coating means, corresponding tothe'arrangement of parts in Fig. 11; v

Figs. 15 to 15L show schematically the relative positions of the coatingmeans and the control mechanism therefor, together with the articlesbeing coated, at selected points in a cycle of operation of the machine;

Fig. 16 is a view showing the relative positions of the coating controlcams, talren as indicated by the line lB-IO in F18. '7;

Fig. 17 is a fragmentary plan view of a device.

for stripping the coated material from the coating means, taken asindicated by the line l'|l'l in Fi 4;

Fig. 18 is an enlargedfragmentaryjtransverse sectional view showing apanel being coated and pressed between the coating and presser rolls.

I provide a supporting frame comprising hori-' zontal base members l0,horizontal members ii spaced from said base members l0 by means ofvertical supports l2 connecting the horizontal members at their ends andat intermediate points thereof, where required, and crossed struts i4connecting opposite sides of the frame at the a shaft 39.

ends and intermediate points thereof, as seen best in Fig. 3. The framemay be constructed Iof any suitable structural material having therequired strength and it will be understood that, although I showcertain members as formed of angles, channels, strap metal, etc.,various other shapes may be substituted if desired. This will apply ofcourse to other structural elements described below. A plurality ofcross bars T are secured to the frame at the receiving end to form atable.

I provide a main source of power which may be in the form of anelectrical motor l5, carried by a frame element said motor having adrive shaft l6 connected by any suitable means as, for examp1e,-asprocket chain II, with a sprocket l8 arranged on a shaft 28. Carriedalso on the shaft 20 is a sprocket 2| which engages a sprocket chain 23.The chain 23 is trained around a sprocket 21 mounted on a stub shaft 28(Fig. 6). Arranged on the run of the sprocket chain is an idler gear orgears 38.

Also keyed on the shaft 28 is a spur gear 3| which meshes with a gear 32mounted on a'shaft 33. The shaft 33 has keyed thereto at one end a spurgear 35 and at its other end a gear 36. The gear 35 drives a gear 31fixed on a shaft 38, while the gear 36 drives a gear 34 arranged onKeyed to the shaft 39 is another gear 48 which drives a gear 4| -mountedon a shaft 42.

Keyed on the shaft 28 is a gear. 45 which drives a gear 46 on a shaft41, as seen in Figs. 1 and 5. Also fixed on the-shaft 28 is a gear 48which meshes with a gear 49 on a shaft 58. The idler 38 turns loosely onthis shaft. The shaft 58 also carries a'gear which engages a gear 52 ona shaft 53;

The sprocket chain 23 also drives a sprocket 55 on a shaft-56 at thedischarging end of the machine.

Fixed on the shaft 56 are pulleys 51 engaging belts 58 which, as seenbest in Fig. l, extend substantially throughout the entire length of themachine.

At the receiving end of the machine the belts 58 are trained aroundpulleys -6| which are keyed to a shaft 62. Fixed approximately centrallyon the same shaft is a grooved pulley 63 carrying a plurality of belts64, these belts being preferably round as shown.

Mounted on the shaft 62 is a sprocket 68 which engages a chain 69, saidchain actuating a sprocket 18 to which is eccentrically connected apiston rod 1| so as to reciprocate the latter to actuate a pump 12. Thispump is designed to handle latex in the preferred embodiment and ispreferably of the diaphragm type. The belts 64 are trained at theirforward ends around pulleys 14, which are loosely mounted for rotationon a stationary shaft 15.

The shaft 58 has keyed thereto a pulley or pair of pulleys I1 carryingconveyor belts 18, said belts being trained at their receiving ends overpulleys 19 arranged for rotation on a shaft 80.

Also keyed to the shaft 56 are pulleys 82 carrying belts 83, thereceiving ends of which are trained around pulleys 84 mounted forrotation on a shaft 85.

The coating liquid which is to be applied to the goods fed to themachine is moved by the pump I2 from the bottom of a tank 86 so that theliquid will be free of bubbles, through a pipe 81 and thence through aconduit 88 down into a supply tank 89, the conduit, terminating near thebottom of the latter tank to preclude formation of bubbles as the liquidissues from the conduit. Depending from the tank 89 is a nozzle 98 fromwhich the liquid falls onto the top side of a blade 9| (Figs. 2 and 4)pivoted to a bracket 92 mounted as on a side frame member H, a spring 93urging the blade into engagement with a feed roll 94. The roll 94preferably is formed of chromium plated steel, although other mate rialmay be found suitable. The blade 9| forms, with the periphery of thefeed roll 94, a fountain by which the said periphery is continuallysupplied with the coating liquid.

The liquid is fed by transfer from the feed roll 94 to a coating roll 95which is preferably fixedly mounted to rotate with the shaft 33 and ispreferably soft and resilient and formed of vulcanized linseed. oil,although other materials may be found suitable. The quantity of coatingmaterial fed by the feed roll 94 to the applicator roll 95 may beregulated by varying the speed of the roll 94, as by changing the gearratio at 48, 4| (Fig. 1). Screws 96 carrying suitable bear rollseparates from the goods, forms into bub-' bles, a negligible percentageof which remains with the coat, the remainder adhering to the coatingroll 95. As this part of the roll rises, it reaches the line of tangencywith the feed roll 94, where the latter is descending. The feed roll 94accordingly scrapes off all of the liquid and bubbles carried up by theroll 95, a drain trough 98 being disposed under the roll 94 to receiveany of this removed material not adhering to the roll 94 as the roll94passes over the trough. Such liquid and bubbles as are carried up by theunder side of the feed roll 94 are then scraped off by the doctor blade9| and either adhere to the blade or fall therefrom into the trough 98.

The trough 98 is mounted to receive the excess liquid which flows overthe ends of the blade 9|. point slightly below the top of the supplytank 89 into the trough. The trough is preferably slightly inclined, anda pipe I08 (Fig. 2) extends from the lower end of the trough into theupper part of the tank 86, terminating over a strainer |8| in the tank.The bubbles remain for the most part in the trough 98, on the strainerand on the surfaces of the liquid in'the tanks, the liquid being. drawnfrom the tank 86 by the pump 12 from a point well below the surface ofthe liquid, so that the liquid pumped is substantially free of bubbles.

Thus it is seen that notwithstanding aeration of the coating liquidadhering to the coating roll after each coating operationthe bubbles areprevented from being fed to the coating roll. Such bubbles as are formedon the coat at the trailing end of the coat are of negligible quantityas has been stated, and disappear of their own accord or are eliminatedby squeeze rolls at the delivery end of the machine, as will appear.Thus all coats are substantially even and perfect. when delivered by themachine.

It will be seen from Fig. 4 that the shaft 89 An overflow conduit 99leads from a is arranged directly below the applicator roll 95 andcarries a presser roll I03. As seen in Fig. 6, r

the shaft 39 which carries the presser roll I03 is fixedly journaled atone end, as at I04, and interposed between the presser roll and theactuating gear 34 of its shaft 39 are universal joints I05. Lever armsI061: and I061 pivotally connect the shaft 39 on opposite sides of thepresser roll I03 to the non-rotating shaft 15, and when these arms areraised the corresponding ends I032: and I031! of the presser roll may bemoved into juxtaposition with the applicator roll 95 for pressing asheet of material passing between the two rolls into engagement with theapplicator roll.

Fixed to the shaft 38 is a conveyor roll III! to numeral II4, includingif desired, a spring permitting the rolls to separate and a wedge toprevent them from approaching each other beyond the desired degree. Astripper blade II5 carried by a bracket I I6 is mounted for engagementwith the squeeze roll II2. A conveyor roll II8 carried by the shaft I I9assists in transferring the coated fabric onto the belts 83.

The mechanism for controlling the presser roll supporting links I061:and I061}, and; thus the application of the coating to the fabric, willnow be described.

Pivotally mounted on the frame at I2I below the links I063: and I061!are brackets I22 carrying actuating members I232: and I231! which engagethe presser roll links I062: and I06y, respectively. Control leversI262: and I26y'are pivoted at I21 and adjustably connected by screws I28and I29.

to the brackets I22, a spring I30 being associated with each screw I29.

The control lever I262: carries a cam follower I33a: engageable with acam X, and the control lever I26y has a cam follower I331 engageableselectively with any one of a plurality of cams, such as the cams Y, Yand Y" (Figs. 4, '7, 12 and 13), the follower I33y, in the arrangementillustrated, being engaged with cam Y. The weight of the presser rollI03, acting through the springs I30, causes the followers to yieldablyengage the cams. The position of the presser roll is determined by thescrews I28, and the pressure of the presser roll upward for the coatingoperation is determined by the springs I30, by which force from thelevers I26a: and I26y due to the cams is or other slip clutch I38 (Fig.7). The clutch may comprise face plates I40 and I, which rotate with theshaft 53, and a cooperating plate I42 rotatable with the tube I31, theplates being pressed as by springs I43 into clutching engagement.

As has been pointed out, an object of my inventionis to apply latexcoats to restricted areas having biased and unbiased edges on fabric.

It will be observed that the cams X and Y, acting through the leversI260: and I261! and the bars I23a: and, I231 upon the links I06 :1: andI061 control individually the elevation of the ends I031: and I031! 01'the presser roll I03. When this roll is fully raised and parallel to theapplicator or coating roll 95, the full width of the coat is beingapplied to the fabric at once. When first one end and then the other endof the roll I03 is raised (or lowered), the coat gradually widens from apoint to the full width (or narrows from the full width to a point), theangle of the bias edge of the coat depending on, among other things, the7 speed with which the second end is raised (or lowered) for a givenspeed of feed of the fabric. In practice, leading and trailing edges ofthe coatmay be formed parallel with the leading and trailing edges ofthe panels.

An overall leg panel or section of any suitable outline, as for examplewith one longitudinal edge on a bias and the other unbiased, may beplaced on the conveyor belts at the feed end of the apparatus as shownat the left in Figs. 1- and 14, the panel P nearest the coating rollbeing arranged with its bias edge I45 leading and the following panel Pwith its bias edge I46 trailing.

Arranged under the belts 64 (Fig. 8) are two pairs of electric lamps ina line normal to the direction of conveyance of the panels, the endlampsl48a: and I 4811' being utilized when mens leg panels are to becoated and the inner lamps I501: and I501! when boys leg panels are tobe coated.

The operation is the same in each case, so that the followingexplanation of the operation pertaining to the coating of panels formens overalls will suflice for both. i

The length of the presser roll I03 will determine .the length of thecoat, and may approximate the distance between the lamps used. This rollmay be replaced by a shorter one of suitable length for coating boysoverall panels or by a roll of other suitable length.

Positioned over the lamps is a shield I65 (Figs. 4 and 8) having holesI56 over the lamps to permit substantially only a pencil of light toescape upward from each lamp. -Mounted in a housing I 61 to receive thelight through openings I58 is a pair of mirrors I 59a: and I591],adjustable so that light from one or the other set of lamps incident onsaid mirrors will be reflected through an opening I6I onto aphotoelectric cell I62. Attached to each mirror is an indicator I63.Suitable indicia marked respectively Men and Boys are arranged so thatwhen .the words Men are indicated by both indicators I62, light fromeither or both of the end lamps I481: and H811 will be reflected ontothe cell, and when the words Boys are indicated by both indicators,light from either or both of the inner lamps I50x and [5011 will bereflected onto the cell.

A relay solenoid, indicated generally by the numeral I64, forcontrolling the rotation of .the cam shaft I31, is controlled by thecell I62 through any suitable hook-up, such as that illustrated in Figs.7- and 9.

The relay comprises a switch arm I61, biased by a spring I6Ia, and twocontacts I60 and I69 alternately engaged thereby, the solenoid I64, whenenergized, holding the am engaged with the contact I69, and a spring161a being operative, when the solenoid isde-energized, to hold the armengaged with the contact I68. The arm I61 is connected to a currentsource as shown at I18. The contact I68 is connected to the coil of anelectromagnet "I, having a movable core or armature I12 from which apawl or stop I13 projects, the return wire I14 leading to the source ofcurrent as shown at I15. The contact I69 is connected to the coil of anelectromagnet I11 having a movable core or armature I18 from which apawl or stop I19 (Fig. 10) projects, the return wire I88 leading to thesource of current as shown at I15.

Mounted to rotate with the tubular shaft I31 is a hub I8I (Figs. '7 and11) carrying an escapement member I82 provided with a pair; of teeth I83and I84. When either of these teeth is engaged with the stop I13,rotation of the cam shaft I31 and hence of the cams X and Y is arrested,and the clutch I38 slips. The hub I8I also carries an escapement memberI85 having a pair of teeth I86 and I81 angularly displaced from theteeth I82 .and I83. When either of the teeth I86 and I 81 is engagedwith the stop I19, rotation of the cam shaft I31 and hence of the cams Xand Y is arrested and the clutch I38 slips.

The stops I13 and I19 are connected to the ends of a lever I88 pivotedat I88a (Figs. 9 and 10). When the relay switch arm I61 engages thecontact I68, the stop I13 is withdrawn from engagement with the toothI83, allowing the clutch I38 to turn the shaft I31. At the time the stopI13 is so withdrawn, it operates the lever I88 to project the stop I19into the path of the tooth I88. Thus in this operation the cams X and Yare permitted to turn through the angle between the teeth I83 and I86.

It will be noted that two brushes I89 are connected to a suitableelectricity source and to .the

- lamp I 48y, and are mounted in such positions (Figs. 7,9 and 11) as tobe engaged for a limited period in every revolution of the cam shaft I31by a switch lug I98 carried by the hub I8I so that the lamp I481! isintermittently lighted. The lamp I 48:10 is continuously lighted.

The relative positions of the cams X and Y, their followers I331: and I331/, the coating and presser rolls 95 and I83, a set of panels P and Pand the place at which the coat is applied, i. e., the coating line, therelay switch arm I81 and contacts I68 and I69, parts of therelay-controlled escapement mechanism, including the teeth I83, I86, I84and I81 and the stops I13 and I19, at several selected points in anentire cycle, and the relative positions of the switch elements I89 andI98 controlling the'lamp I481] at certain of those points, will beunderstood upon reference to the following description andall or certainones of schematic Figs. 15 to 15L. The lamp I48y appears in thesefigures only when. it is lighted.

For convenience we may regard the cycle as commencing with a pair ofmated uncoated panels arranged as shown in Figs. 1 and 14, the panel Pnearest the coating roll having its bias edge I leading and thesucceeding panel P having its bias edge I 46 trailing, just as the lampI481: is

eclipsed by the leading bias edge, the lamp I481} being dark since thelug I98 is spaced from the brushes I89, as is evident from Fig. 11. Thiseclipse accordingly has occulted the cell I62 and thereby deenergizedsolenoid I64, the relay switch arm I61 has been swung by its spring I61ainto engagement with the contact I68, energizing the magnet I1I, pullingthe stop I13 clear of the tooth I83, and projecting the stop I 19 intothe path 01 the next escapement tooth I86 (Fig. 15).

At this occurrence .the clutch I38 is about to commence turning the camshaft I 31 with the escapement members I82 and I85 and cams X and Y inthe direction indicated by the arrow. At the commencement ofthis'movement (Fig. 15) the 5 followers I33a: and I331: are engaged. inthe valleys I9Ia: and I8Iy of the cams X and Y at the points designated8, and the leading point I92 of the bias coat edge 288 to be formed isapredetermined distance short of the coating line U of the coating roll95. The supporting bars I232: and I231 for the ends of the presser rollI83 at such time are accordingly in their lowermost positions,

and hence the presser roll is spaced from the coating roll and nocoating occurs. 15

The movement of the cams proceeds for a limited time, during the earlypart of which the followers are dwelling in the valleys I9Ia: and I9Iyof the cams, and accordingly the presser roll I83 remains in idleposition. In the meantime the panel P is approaching the coating line Uand is covering the lamp I48x, the relay arm I61 remains engaged withthe contact I68, and the escapement tooth I86 is approaching the stopI19. The valley I9Ia: of the cam X terminates in an abrupt outwardlyprojecting shoulder I83x, and the valley I9Iy of the cam Y terminates ina shoulder I931; of more gradually increased radius. When the followerI33a: is depressed by the abrupt shoulder I93a: to the crest I98x, thebar I23x and hence the adjacent end I831: of the presser roll arequickly raised. At the commencement of this rise the leading point I92of the bias coat edge 288 to be formed has not quite reached the coatingline U. When the rise is completed (Fig. 15-A) the end I832: of thepresser roll I83 presses the panel P at the point I92 against thecoating roll 95, leaving an uncoated stitching margin I96 ofpredetermined width. The coating pressure is actually initially appliedjust before the crest 198m 40 is reached by the follower I331: so thatwhen it reaches the crest I98x a substantial coating pressure isapplied, the coating roll being somewhat compressed or squeezed, theintensity of this pressure being determined by the spring I38. It 45will be observed that at this.beginning of the coating, operation thepresser roll I83 is relatively sharply inclined (Fig. 15-A) so thatsubstantially a point contact occurs between the panel and the coatingroll 95, the other end I831 of the presser roll being substantially atits bottom position because the follower I33y is just at the beginningof its ride on the gradual shoulder I93y.

As the cams rotation continues, the presser roll end I832: remainselevated since the follower I831: dwells on the crest I98z, while thepresser roll end I83y rises due to the engagement of the follower I331;with points of progressively increased radius along the slope I93thereby causing a gradual lengthening of the line of contact of thecoating roll with the panel P. Since this rise occurs while the panel ismoving, it follows that the leading edge 288 of the area coated will bebiased. The mechanism is so designed and timed as to cau'sethis biasedge of the coat to be substantially parallel with the bias edge I45 ofthe goods as shown.

Once the follower I331: becomes engaged with the crest I981! of the camY (Fig. 15-B), the full length of the presser roll is elevated andcauses the full width coating of the panel P. This full lengthengagement commences just before the follower I33 reaches the crest I981with merely a kissing pressure which is only momentary. 7

1'10 longer and no stop occurred.

I d When the crest I881! is engaged by the follower I88rthe coating rollis squeezed.

,Shortly after the'presser roll is fully elevated, the cams are arrested(Fig. l5-C) by engagement of the tooth I88 with the stop I18, againcausing the clutch I88 to slip, the panel P however continuing to moveand be coated the full width. The effect of stopping the cams at thispoint while the coating continues is the same as would be obtained ifthe cam crests I981: and I981! were When the panel P has progressed sofar as to uncover the lamp I881; (Fig. 15-D) the light from the latteracts uponthe cell I82 to energize the relay and move the relay switcharm I81 from the contact I88 to the contact I89, so as to retract thestop I18 clear of the tooth I86 and allow the clutch I88 again to turnthe'cams X and Y, the stop I18 now being disposed in the path of thetooth I88. During the early part of the ensuing movement of the cams,their crests I980: and I881! are engaged by the respective followersI883: and 1881. so as to hold the presser roll fully raised until thetrailing unbiased edge 288 of the panel P is short of the coating line Uby a distance equal to the width of the trailing stitching margin to beleft uncoated. When this point is reached, both ends of the presser rollI 88 drop together; due to the movement of the cam followers from thelands I881: and I881! down the abrupt shoulders 288:: and 2881 to thesecond set of valleys 2881: and 2881/ (Fig. 15-E), respectively, whichvalleys are adequately deep to insure complete retraction of the presserroll. When this occurs, the next panel P' has not yet reached the lamp8:, so thatthe relay arm I81 is not disturbed.

. At this drop of th presser roll I88, or promptly thereafter, and whilethe relay arm remains undisturbed, the tooth I88 is arrested by the stopI18 (Fig. 15-E) stoppin the cams X and Y and causing the clutch I88 toslip again. Here again the eflect of stopping the cams is the same asthough the cam valleys 288a: and 2881! had been longer and the rotationhad continued, since no coating takes place and the panel P continues toapproach the coating line U. I

The panel P has now'progressed forward beyond the coating roll, andthe'succeeding panel P'-, which may be the mate of the panel P andarranged with its unbiased edge '2 leadlng,'is approaching the lamp 8x,the cams X and Y being at rest. When the leading edge 2 of the panel P'eclipses the lamp I 88:: (Fig. 15-F) the light to the cell I82 isocculte'd and the relay switch arm I81 is moved by its spring I81a fromthe contact I88 to the contact I88, energizing the magnet I12,

which retracts the stop I18 clear of the tooth I88 and projects the stopI18 into the path of the next tooth I 81, and allowing the clutch I88 torestart rotation of the cams.

, As the rotation of the cams ensues, the switch lug I88 becomes engagedwith the brushes, I88, lighting the lamp I881 (Fig. l5-G) while it, as

well as the lamp 82:, is covered by the panel 2I8z' and 2I8y,respectively, of the cams X and Y, the leading coat edge to be formed isat the coating line U and the panel P' is pressed by the full length ofthe presser roll into engagement with the coating 'roll, commencingrearwardly of the edge 2 such a distance as to leave uncoated thedesired width of stitching margin 2". Just after this coating"commences, the tooth I81 is arrested by the stop I19 (Fig. l5H),stopping the cams and causing the clutch I88 a ain to slip.

For the following short period during the arrest of the tooth I81, andwhile the panel P is being hosted, the lamp I88 remains lighted butcovered by said panel. -'As soon as the panel P' uncovers the lamp I88y,the relay switch arm I81 moves from the contact I88 to the contact I 88(Fig. 15-1) and, when this occurs, the stop I1! is withdrawn from thepath of the tooth I81 and the stop I18 is moved into the path of thenext tooth I88, allowing the clutch I88 again to become engaged and turnthe cams.

During the early part of this turning of the cams, the presser roll I88is held elevated by virtue of the dwelling of the followers engaged withthe crests 2I8x and 81 and the coating of fire panel P continues for thefull length of the presser roll. Before this full length coating ceases,and before the lug I88 leaves the brushes I88 to darken the lamp I88 thelamp I881: is uncovered by the trailing bias edge I88 of the panel P'(Fig. '15-J), so as to preclude interruption of the flow of light to thecell I82.

The cam X adjustably carries on a check thereof a plate 228 (Figs. 12and 16) having a'rcuately arranged slots 22I through which screws 222extend into the cam. This plate has one end 228 disposed so as not tointerfere with the shoulder M82 and has its outer edge arranged as apart of the crest 2I8z. The other end of this plate terminates in anabrupt dropofl' shoulder 228x. The purpose of the plate 220 will appearpresently.

It willbe observed that the shoulder 228: is disposed to reach thefollower I881: after the gently sloping shoulder 2281 of the cam Yreaches the follower I88 Thus the end I08 of the presser roll commencesto drop gradually as the gently sloping shoulder 22811 passes by thefollower 1881!, while the presser roll end I881; remains upraised; Thisresults in a gradually shortened line of engagement of the coating rollwith the panel P and a consequent forming of a trailing bias coat edge"I parallel to the trailing bias edge I88 and short thereof by thedesired width of stitching margin 282. The coat edge 28I terminates at288 (Fig, l-K) when the abrupt drop-off shoulder 228:: at the end of thecrest 2I8a: passes the follower I881, dropping the presser roll end188:. l I

The cams then move a short distance to locate the followers I88: andI881 in engagementwith the valleys In: and I8Iy,.respectively, at thepoint 8, the starting point of the cycle here described, where they arestopped by engagement of the tooth I88 with the stop I18, the relationof the at such time being shown in Fig. 15-L. The cams remain motionlessuntil the lamp l88:|:-is next eclipsed bya panel P, 70

taken that the panels be fed in the proper order and arrangement.arranged as shown in Figs. 12 and 13 in relation to their followers, thepanels P and P are in the order and-arrangement (Fig. 14) which insuresproper coating thereof.

To this end there is provided at the feed end of the apparatus (Fig. 1)a shaft 23!, carrying a flag or signal device 233 which may have thegeneral outline of a panel to-be coated. This shaft may be suitablydriven, as by a chain 231, from a sprocket 233 (Fig. 'l) on the tubularcam shaft I31 and revolves once for every revolution,

of the shaft I31.

Since the tubular shaft I31 has intermittent motion, the flag shaft 235will have like motion. The arrangement is suchthat during one stop, as,for example, when the tooth I33 is engaged with the abutment I13, theflag is disposed horizontally with its bias edge 'leading, signalling tothe attendant that the next panel P to be fed should "be placed on theconveyor with its bias edge leading. During the second stop of the camshaft I31 thereafter, as when the tooth I84 becomes engaged with theabutment I13,

the flag will be horizontal with its bias edge trailing,

signalling to the attendant that the next panel P to be fed should beplaced on the conveyor with the bias edge trailing. The timing is suchthat the panels will then be coated in proper order, the flag serving atall times to show how the next panel to be fed should be arranged on theconveyor.

Since the control of the cam mechanismis dependent, on the interruptionsof .the light beams to the cell I62, it is not necessary for theoperator or attendant to adhere to any fixed time interval of feed ofthe panels. For example, if a panel is fed shortly before the flagreaches the horizontal, the interval between that a panel and the nextpreceding panel will be shorter, so that, referring to Fig. 15-E, forexample, the lamp I432 will be covered, and the relay switch arm I31shifted, sooner, and con-- sequently the period of idleness of the camswill be shorter. Thus the raising of the ends of the presser roll I33will take place earlier and in fact will commence in time to coat thepanel at the proper place behind the leading edge. If the panel is fedafter an unusually great interval of time following the preceding panel,it will be seen from Fig. 15 that the relay switch arm and cams will beidle for a longer period, thereby delaying the raising of thepresser'roll to form the edge of the coat.

The number of auxiliary cams Y, Y", etc., may be as great as the numberof the various biases which may bedesired, and the plate 223 may becapable of the corresponding adjustments, as will appear.

It may be that the panel demands a coat edge with a smaller or greaterbias. The leading bias coat edge results from a gradual ascent of thecam X, and so that the follower I33a: commences,

as at Ix, its movement along the abrupt dropoff shoulder 223:: when thefollower I331, moving Thus when, the cams are along the gradual trailingbias shoulder 223 reaches the valley I9Iy of the cam Y, as at 242 Itwill be observed that the degree of bias varies directly with themagnitude of the time interval required for the ascent and descent ofthe roll end I031], and hence with the angle subtended by the gradualbias shoulders of the cam engaged by the follower I 3311. Thus, when thebias is to be small, the fall and rise of the follower I331! must be ofcorrespondingly short duration, and when theblas is to be great the falland rise of the follower I331! must be of correspondingly greatduration. I have provided for purposes of illustration two cams Y and Y"auxiliary to the cam Y (Figs. 4, 7 and 16). The cam Y may be consideredas one affording a medium bias, the cam Y a smaller bias, andaccordingly its biasi'orming shoulders I931! and 2231 subtend smallerangles than do the shoulders I331! and 228 is adapted to commenceengagement with the follower I331 at substantially the same time thatthe follower I332: reaches the crest I983, it follows that the points ofcommencement of all of said shoulders lie in the same line, indicated bythe point 240, the shoulder I933: of the cam X being used in each case.

Since, however, each trailing bias action terminates with the abruptfall of the presser roll end I332, and the trailing bias shoulders22311" 2281 2231 are adapted to terminate their engagement with thefollower I331! at different times, represented by the points 24211,2421/, 24211", respectively, the drop-oil shoulder 2282: is madeadjustable to locate the drop-oil point thereof at the positionsfllx',24m: (in full lines) and "he". This accounts for the provision of theadjustable cheek plate 220 on the cam X.

The cams Y, Y and Y" may form .an assembled unit adjustably splined onthe shaft I31 so that any one of these cams may be selected and securedin place for cooperation with the follower l33y, the correspondingadjustment of the cheek plate 220 being made also.

It will be appreciated that if non-identical coats are to be formed ineach cam revolution, or if the width of the stitching margins is to bevaried, the various cam shoulders may be located in advanced or retardedpositions, as conditions mayrequire, to secure correct timing, as willbe apparent to one skilled in the art.

When no coating is taking place, the presser roll is free of the coatingroll. It is desirable to locate thelamps so that they will be eclipsedand revealed by the goods before the goods reaches the coating line. Thedistance of the lamps from the coating line determines to some extentthe design of the cams. For example, referring to Fig. 15, the cams areJust commencing to turn, and hence the first coating point, I 92, mustreach the coating line U when the follower I33x reaches the crest I331(Fig. 15-A). Accordingly the angular extent of the valley I9lx from thepoint II to the crest I331: must be in fixed relation. to the distancefrom the point I92 to the line U.

so that there will be an uncoated margin 332 back line U, and it will beobserved that this angular extent is less than the first angular extentby the angular extent for forming the stitching margin 202. Thisdifference will be discerned readily upon reference to Figs. 15 and15-D.

Fig. 15F is analogous to Fig. 15 but relates to the next panel P, thecams being engaged with the followers at 0" and being about to commenceturning. The angular extent of the valleys 206m, 2061 from the point 0"to the crests 2l6zc, 2l6y, accordingly should be the same as thecorresponding angular extent of the valleys Biz, l9ly.

Fig. 15-J is analogous to Fig. 15-D but relates to the panel P, the camsbeing engaged with the followers at 0", about to commence turning. Theangular extent of the crest 2|6x. fr'om'v the point 0" to the abruptdrop-off shoulder 228a: accordingly should be the same as thecorresponding angular extent of the crests [9812, I98

How long the cams should pause with the followers at the points 0' and0", when the panels are being coated, depends on the dimensions of thepanels themselves, in the direction of conveyance, since each such pauseterminates when the trailing edge of a panel uncovers a lighted lamp. InFig, l5-C the cams have just stopped by virtue of the engagement of thetooth I86 with the stop I19, and it is evident that the length of timethe cams will remain still depends on the distance of the trailing edge20! from the lamp 8.1:, in the direction of conveyance of thepanel. Werethe dimension of the panel in said direction greater or less, obviouslythe pause of the cams would be correspondinglygreater or less.

The pause of the cams While each panel is being coated the fullwidth, 1. e., when the points 0' or 0" of the cams, as the case may be,are engaged with the followers, will terminate when the trailing edgeofthe panel being coated reveals one or the other of the lamps 0x, 81 Asexplained above, the angular length of the crests from said points tothe drop-off shoulders is the same. The length of each set of crests isslightly greater than the extent just referred to, so as to insure thefull rise of both ends of the presser roll I03 before the pausescommence. This ex? cess may be of any desired magnitude. In fact, if thecams were sufliclently large or their speed suitably controlled relativeto the speed of conveyance of the panels, the-pauses might be dis:

pensed with. But it is preferred to make use of the pauses because bythis means the same cams may be employed irrespective of variations inpanel sizes. It will be apparent from the foregoing that since thecoating is continuous during the entire time of engagement of thefollowers with a set of crests, it follows that for a given size ofpanels the sum of the time of movement of the cams during engagement ofa set oi. crests with the followers preceding a pause and the time ofsuch pause is fixed. Hence if the first of these times is shorter orlonger the pause is correspondingly longer or shorter. The crests of thecams accordingly may be alike or difierent within the limits noted.

When a different coat bias is to be formed, the proper cam Y, Y, Y" isselected for engagement with the follower I331 and the plate 220correspondingly adjusted on the cam- X (Figs. 12 and 16). Here, again,the termination of each pause of the cams will be governed by the sizeof the panels and, for a given size, the pauses at a given set of crestswill be alike irrespective of the bias, the bias-forming shoulders alonetaking care of the formation of both the leading and the trailing bias.

The pause of the cams with the followers at the points 0 or 0", when nocoating occurs, depends on the space intervals at which the panels arefed. In Fig. 15-E it will be noted'that thecams have just stopped due toengagement of the tooth I84 with the stop I13, and that this pause willcontinue until the leading edge 2| l of the panel P eclipses thisminimum, the followers will reach the crest 2l6:c, 2i6y. too late'sothat the stitching margin will be too wide, and a defective panel coatwill result. By properly feeding the succeeding panels, however, matterswill be corrected sincethe coating is governed by the lights, which inturn are controlled by the panels. The interval may be as much greaterthan the minimum as desired.

The foregoing applies alike to the interval betweenthe panels P and P,and between the panels P and P.

In order to prevent adhesion of the panel to thecoating roll when thepresser roll is released, I

provide a stripping device such as is shown in Figs.

4, 6 and 1'7. Referring more particularly to Figs.

an'dabove the feed ends of the conveying belts I8 to leave clearance forthe coated panels. The ends 252' and 253 of the frame 250 may havescalloped edges as shown at 255 and 256, respectively, to which a cordor fine, preferably hairlike wire such as music wire, shown at 251, maybe secured as by wrapping so as'to provide closely spaced strands 258generally parallel to the direction of conveyance of the panels anddis-posed between the rolls and I03. The strands are disposed for themost part under the frame ends 252 and 253, and normally are held downtaut and out of contact with the rolls 95 and I03 under the action ofthe spring means 25l, as shown in Fig. 4, so that, when not in use, thestrands are prevented from cutting or grooving the soft surface of thecoating roll 95.

Fastened to the stationary shaft 15 carrying the pulleys H over whichthe belts 64 move are guide brackets 260 arranged to engage the underside of each panel as the panel progresses beyond the belts-03 (Figs. 1and 4), and to guide the panel between the rolls 05 and I03 and underthe strands 258.

When the leading edge of a panel has progressed to a point beyond thecoating line of the coating .roll 95 a distance equal to the width ofthe stitching margin, as has been explained, elevation of one or bothends of the presser roll takes place, according'as the leading edge isbiased or unbiased. The presser roll, in rising, forces the part of thepanel thereover, together with the superimposed stripper strands 258,upward against the relatively yielding coating roll 95, forcing thestrands to be embedded in, and the upper face of the panel toengage,'the coating roll. The coating liquid 'fiows around and undereach wire strand and makes the coat substantially complete and perfect.

As the presser roll descends, the spring 25l depresses the strands 258,which strip the progressing coated portion away from the coating roll,the coated panel moving over the conveyor roll H0 and thence onto theconveyor belt 18. From this belt the coated panel passes between thesqueeze rolls H2 and H3, which thoroughly "1mpregnate the coveredmaterial with the liquid coat, and then the panel is carried to thedelivery end of the machine by the belts 58 and 83. The squeeze rolls H2and I I3 will eliminate any bubbles which may have adhered to the coatupon its separation from the coating roll and which have not disappearedbefore reaching the squeeze rolls.

When either or both ends of the presser roll drop, the strands 258, fromwhich the upward pressure of said roll is removed, move immediately downaway from the coating roll under the influence of the spring means 25!,thereby stripping the panel free of the coating roll, so that only thatpanel portion held by the presser roll against the coating roll iscoated, thereby insuring leaving uncoated the trailing stitching margin.

From the belts 58 and 83 the panels travel into a curing oven of anysuitable type, as, for example, one of the type illustrated in mycopending application, Serial No. 118,879, filed January 2, 1937.

I am aware that many changes may be made and numerous details ofconstruction varied through a wide range without departing from theprinciples of my invention, and I therefore do not purpose limiting thepatent granted hereon otherwise than as necessitated by the prior art.

I claim:

l. A coating apparatus comprising a coating roll, a presser roll, meansfor conveying material to be coated between said rolls, and meanscontrolled by the conveyed material for pressing together portions ofthe rolls of progressively vary ing length while the material isprogressing between said rolls, to press portions of the material ofprogressively varying width against the coating roll.

2. A coating apparatus comprising a coating member, a presser member,means for conveying material to be coated between said members, meansfor effecting relative approach of said members to engage materialtherebetween, means for effecting relative separation of said members,and means holding the material out of contact with said coating memberwhen said members are separated.

3. A coating apparatus comprising a resilient coating member, a pressermember, means for conveying material to be coated between said members,yieldable means comprising relatively fine widely spaced strandsnormally disposed to guide and retain the material away from the coatingmember, means for moving said presser member and with it the materialand guide means to-' ward said coating member, to embed said strands insaid coating member and effect engagement of the coating member with thematerial, and means for retracting said presser member and therebyallowing said guide means to strip the material from the coating member.

4. Adevice for coating material, comprising a pair of smooth-surfacedrollers, one of which is a coatingv roller, means for feeding thematerial beaaaaooa tween said rollers, and means for efl'ecting relativeapproach'and separation of the rollers at one end thereof while thematerial is pressed between the opposite end of the rollers.

5. A coating apparatus comprising a coating roll, a presser roll spacedtherefrom, means for conveying ,a piece of material between said rolls,

mechanism for effecting relative approach of said rolls to coat thematerial, releasable means for preventing operation of said mechanism, alight source, a photoelectric cell adapted to be energized by the lightfrom said source, means controlled by said cell for effecting operationof said releasable means, the beam of light between said source and saidcell being disposed in the path of conveyance of the material, meansoperative when said beam is intercepted for releasing said releasablemeans, and means timing said mechanism to effect said relative approachafter a part of the material has passed the coating portion of thecoating roll.

6. A coating apparatus comprising a coating roll, a presser roll spacedtherefrom, means for conveying a piece of material therebetween, aphotoelectric cell, light means arranged so that light therefromreaching the cell intersects the path of the conveyed material. andmechanism controlled by said cell and rendered operative when theconveyed material intercepts and reveals said light, said mechanismbeing timed to efiect relative approach and subsequent separation ofsaid rolls during the'passage of a predetermined intermediate portion ofthe material between said rolls.

7. An apparatus for applying a leading bias coat to a panel havingbiased and unbiased edges and fed with the biased edge leading, saidapparatus comprising a coating roll, a presser ro1l,.

means for conveying the panel between said rolls, a pair of cams toefiect relative approach and separation of the respective ends of saidrolls, one at the wide and the other at the narrow side of the panel,said other cam being shaped to eifect a gradual approach of said rollsat the 4 narrow side of the panel after the opposite ends of the rollsare brought together by said one cam, driving means for said conveyingmeans and cams, said driving means being timed to operate said other camto press the corresponding ends of the rolls together when the leadingpoint of the leading bias adjacent the wide side of the panel is at thebottom of said coating roll, said other cam being formed to complete therelative approach of the-rolls at the narrow side of the panel when apoint of the bias adjacent the narrow side of the panel is at the bottomof said coating roll, said cams being formed and timed to effectcomplete separation of said rolls when the unbiased edge of the panel isadjacent the bottom of said coating roll.

8. An apparatus for forming a bias edge coat on a panel having a biasborder, comprising a coating roll, a presser roll, means for conveying apanel between said rolls, and controlling mechanismfor said presserroll, said mechanism comprising a photoelectric cell, light-generatingmeans arranged so that the influence of light therefrom on the cell willbe altered by interception of said light by a predetermined part of thebias edge of the panel before said part reaches the coating line of saidcoating roll, said mechanism being formed and timed to gradually shiftone end of the presser roll relative to the coating roll while the otherend of the presser roll is pressing the adjacent part of panel againstthe coating roll.

9. A coating apparatus comprising coating means, means for operatingsaid coating means to form coats having leading bias edges and coatshaving trailing bias edges upon panels having portions shaped tocorrespond with such coats,

means for conveying the panels to the coating means, and meanscontrolled by said operating means for'slgnalling whether the next panelto be fed should be placed on the conveying means with' its bias edgeleading or trailing.

10. A coating apparatus comprising coating means, means for operatingsaid coating means to form coats having leading bias edges and coatshaving trailing bias edges upon panels having portions shaped tocorrespond with such coats, means for conveying the panels to thecoating means, means controlled by, said operating means for indicatingwhether the next panel to be fed should be placed on the conveyihg meanswith its bias edge leading or trailing, and means for preventingoperation of said operating means when no panel is fed.

11. A coating apparatus comprising a coating roll, a single means forsupplying coating liquid to said roll, and removing from said roll allliquid remaining on that portion thereof which has completed a coatingoperation, before said por tion receives an additional supply of theliquid from said means, a reservoir, means for conducting the removedliquid to the reservoir, so that the liquid at the bottom of thereservoir is substantially de-aerated, and means for delivering thede-aerated liquid from said reservoir to said supplying means.

12. A device for coating material, comprising a pair of rollers, one ofwhich is a coating roller, means for feeding the material between saidrollers, and means for effecting relative approach and separation of therollers at one end thereof while the material is pressed between theopposite end of the rollers.

13. A coating apparatus comprising a coating roll, a-presser roll, meansfor conveying material of different bias edge lengths, comprising acoating roll, means for interchangeably supporting pressure rolls ofdifferent lengths corresponding to different bias edge lengths forcooperating with said coating roll, a presser roll supported by saidmeans, means for conveying a panel between said rolls, and mechanism foreffecting relative approach and separation of said rolls, said mechanismcomprising a photoelectric cell, a lamp, and a mirror arranged toreflect a beam from said lamp onto said cell, said lamp being arrangedso that its beam will be intercepted by a,predetermined part cf theleading bias margin of a panel before the panel reachesthe coating lineof said coating roll, said mechanism being the I formed and timed topress said margin between an end of the presser roll and said coatingroll and to progressively press the bias margin between said coatingroll and the remainder of said presser roll, when said beam isintercepted, and to separate said rolls when said beam is notintercepted, another lamp operative selectively instead of the firstlamp and spaced therefrom lengthwise of the bias edge when adifferentlength presser roll is supported by said supporting means and a panel ofcorrespondingly different bias marginal length is to be coated, saidother lamp being arranged to throw a beam onto said mirror, and meansfor adjusting said mirror to reflect the second beam onto said cell,said second beam being disposed to be intercepted by thecorrespondingpredetermined part of the bias margin of the second panel to enable saidmechanism, by means of said rolls, to apply a bias edge coat ofdifferent bias length to the second panel.

15. A coating apparatus comprising a coating roll, means forsupplyingcoating liquid to said roll, means for removing from said roll allliquid remaining on that portion thereofwhich has completed a coatingoperation before said portion receives anadditional supply of the liquidfrom the supplying means, a reservoir into which the removed liquid isconducted, a lower reservoir, means straining the liquid from the bottomof the first reservoir to the upper part of the lower reservoir, anupper reservoir disposed above the first reservoir, means'for deliveringliquid from the bottom of the lower reservoir to a point below thesurface of the liquid in the upper reservoir, and means affordinggravitational delivery of the liquid from the bottom of the upperreservoir to said supplying means.

16. A method of supplying used coating liquid in a de-areated conditionto a coating member supplying device, comprisingthe steps of removingall coating liquid from that part of the coating member which hascompleted a coating operation, gravitationally straining the removedliquid over the contents of a reservoir of such liquid, withdrawing theliquid from a lower part of the reservoir remote from the surface levelof such liquid anddelivering it to a second reservoir at a pointsubstantially below the level of the liquid in the second reservoir, andgravitationally delivering liquid from the bottom of the secondreservoir to the supply device for coating operations.

17. A coating-apparatus comprising a coating roll, a presser roll spacedtherefrom, means for conveying a piece of material between said rolls,mechanism for effecting relative approach of said rolls to coat thematerial, releasable means for preventing operation of said mechanism, alight source, a photoelectric cell adapted to be energized by the lightfrom said source, means controlled by said cell for effecting operationof said releasable means,'the beam of light between said source and saidcell being disposed in the path of conveyance of the material, and meansoperative when said beam is intercepted for releasing said releasablemeans.

, CLIFFORD E. IVES.

